Phem Phat 2000
By: The Ichiban Son 		Back

Last year, Toronto's premier group supporting the women's urban music movement, Phem Phat Productions announced that it would be indefinitely on hiatus, including the widely known "Honey Jam". This was announced to allow time for CEO and one woman show, Ebonnie Rowe to take a breather and relax in her free time, of which she has had next to none over the past few years. However, after much encouragement, and demand, Rowe has decided to return even stronger in 2000, holding the largest weekend event in their history. Rowe states that "PhemPhat Productions was formed in May 1995 to foster the growth, education and promotion of women in all aspects of the urban entertainment scene, to break through and establish a presence in areas which have traditionally been "boyz clubs", not only as artists, but also dj's, producers, engineers, managers, label owners, and promoters... all up in da mix!" You can read more about the basis of Phem Phat at their brand new website www.PhemPhat.com, hosted by Urbnet/Page Communications.

PhemPhat regulars, include many of Toronto's finest within the women's urban scene, including Jemini, Motion, Michie Mee, True, Jennifer Patterson, Mansa, and of course the Phem Phat dancers. With 7 Honey Jam's to date, all hosted by the T Dot's Michie Mee, as well as a previous urban seminar (1996), record release parties, artist showcases and promotion. and the Women on Wax dj showcase, Phem Phat has most definitely situated themselves as the main support group for women involved in urban music in the Toronto area. In addition, Phem Phat runs their own dance agency, which has received praise for it's innovation by Canada's National Post daily newspaper. A couple of it's members recently appeared in Choclair's lead off video for "Let's Ride" of his debut LP "Ice Cold". Publicity for PhemPhat is handled by Mansa Trotman of Illusion Enterprises.

This year Phem Phat is bringing one of the biggest line-up of events that they've ever had, beginning April 7 with "Brown Girls In Da Ring" a night of poetry and other oral expressions. June brings the Phem Phat Urban Seminar weekend, with screening of the Film "Nobody Knows My Name" from producer Rachel Raimist (UCLA) on June 1 (see the FEATURE "Who Gonna Know My Name"), the Urban Seminar on June 2/3 at Harris Institute, and finally the 5th Anniversary Honey Jam Talent Showcase at Reverb.

PHEMPHAT URBAN MUSIC SEMINAR

The following is a condensed overview of the upcoming PhemPhat urban music seminar, including topics that will be covered and the moderators responsible for each. For full details check out www.PhemPhat.com.

Friday, June 2, 2000

SIGNED SEALED & DELIVERED, THE ART OF THE DEAL (6:00pm)
* An open forum discussion and reception

Saturday, June 3, 2000

PUBLICITY/PROMOTION/MARKETING (11:00am)
* How to budget wisely as an independent artist, using limited budget and resources.
* What to expect from the publicist, promotion rep and marketing manager as a major label artist.
* Moderator: Nicole Chrysostrom, BMG - Artist Marketing Dept., co-founder of Nalani Entertainment Inc. (promotion, consultation, special events, marketing, etc.)

MANUFACTURING/DISTRIBUTION (11:00am)
* The entire process from production to manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.
* How to get your talent from the studio onto the store shelves, and into the hands of the promotion experts...the DJ's!
* Moderator: Motion, CIUT - Masterplan Show, Blacklist Music, NetVuLive.com.
Check out www.blacklistonline.com and www.warlead.com.

PUBLISHING/COPYRIGHT/RECORDING CONTRACTS (11:00am)
* Theory and practical aspects of how musicians earn income from use of copyright material.
* Study of publishing agreements, recording agreements, and in general the legal aspects involved within the recording process.
* Moderator: Gayle Pinheiro - Alkamie Records, practicing entertainment lawyer.

FUNDING (11:00am)
* Help for artists in the form of loans and grants, and the agencies involved.
* Reps from various agencies will discuss eligible criteria and how to apply.
* Moderator: Beverley McKee, VideoFACT, PromoFACT (web based grants)

DJING (2:00pm)
* Dicussion on equipment, bookings, promotion, venues, musical styles, DJ Pools, etc.
* Chance to try out your skills on the techs.
* Moderator: Tommygyrl Productions, CKLN - Mental Chatter, Toronto area club DJ, Eye Magazine, The People Have Spoken Magazine (music editor)

VOCAL SKILLS (2:00pm)
* Aimed to bring insight to the vocalist, through building of confidence and character.
* Discuss current trends in vocals, as well as proper vocal technique.
* Moderator: Michelle Francis, promising jazz vocalist, Fresh Arts Artworks Program, singer/songwriter and producer.

TECHNICAL OPPORTUNITIES (2:00pm)
* Exploring job opportunities in website design, graphic design, television production, audio engineering, video production, etc.
* How to break into the field, as well as how to be innovative and competitive.
* Moderator: Vivian Barclay, Hothouse Ent., Fine Arts Degree from Temple U, music production and engineering, CKLN - Bulletproof Soul, coordinator of Northern X-Posure urban music seminar.

ARTIST DEVELOPMENT (2:00pm)
* Developing as an artist that is marketable and professional, as well as presentable to the masses.
* How to construct an image, and how the industry measures up an artist.
* Moderator: Tracey D. Human, Solroc Music - President of Artist Management, Carlos Morgan, Garrity and J.B. Flow. Canadian and British Fellowships in Gemmology, Behaviour Modifications and Lifeskills trainer for the mentally challenged.

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